Had Bennet known how relievedallsixof his womenfolk were that he had decided to return to his study without a word, he would not have been pleased. What he saw as a punishment to them, they thought was a boon. As soon as the tea service was delivered and served, Kitty and Lydia poured over the ribbons, fabric, and a section of Belgium lace they had been gifted. Fanny admired the fabric and lace she had received from her returning daughters.
While the two youngest Bennets were so occupied, Jane told her mother what she had ordered, and about the wedding gown which would be delivered in a sennight by one of Madame’s seamstresses in case there were any last minute alterations needed. Mary then related about her interactions with the Fitzwilliams and how welcoming the Earl and Countess had been of her. Mary glowed when she told her mother how Andrew had requested a formal courtship, which would remain informal until it was time to ask for her hand for the reasons they all knew.
Fanny could not believe the daughter she had called plain, firstly was not plain in the least, and although she had proclaimed along with Lizzy, Mary would never marry, she waswell on her way to marrying. Not only that, she would be a viscountess, and then one day, a countess.
At the usual time, Fanny and her daughters made their way up to their chambers to prepare for bed. After changing into her warm night attire, she had just released her maid when there was a knock on her door. “Come Lizzy,” Fanny called out.
Elizabeth entered her mother’s chambers and pulled the door closed securely. It was one of the safest places to speak as it was the last location her father would enter. She remembered how one day, about two years past, her father had gleefully told her that he had not visited her mother’s chambers since before Lydia was born.
“Mama, I know you told me in the one letter we need to move on, but you must allow me…” Elizabeth stopped when her mother shook her head.
“No Lizzy, we have both apologised and both accepted the other’s amends. It is time to move forward, and not look to the past,” Fanny insisted. “Now tell me how is it you are back well before you had thought you would come home?”
“I made many very painful discoveries. Some were connected to my father, but others were my own actions which I should have known better than to behave as I had been used to…” Elizabeth told her mother about her two-step process and what she had concluded regarding her father.
“As much as I hate to say this about the man I thought I loved when we married, he is cruel. I can only thank goodness you are no longer following his lead, and more so for yourself than me,” Fanny revealed. “No matter what I thought of him, never did I think him so bad as to try and keep you at home for his amusement. That is far beyond the pale, and the opposite of what a parent is supposed to do. Yes, I am well aware I erred, especially with you, Mary, and to a lesser extent, Kitty, but I always loved you and never wanted you to waste your life awayfor my own selfish needs.”
“Mama, since what occurred with the former Lieutenant and my father’s refusal to act, I may say from that moment, I have seen my father’s manners are sorely lacking. It has been impressed upon me with the fullest belief of his arrogance, conceit, and a selfish disdain of the feelings of others. More than that, cruelty! Seeing the truth has formed the groundwork of disapprobation on which his succeeding behaviour has caused me to lose any respect I had for him. Since then, I have known he is the last man in the world who should have the title of husband or father.”
“You see him as he is now, my Lizzy, but unfortunately unlike you and your sisters who will marry and leave his authority, I am married for life, and am bound to obey him. As long as I know all of my girls are safe, I will be well and live with the burden I must carry.” Fanny paused as she wiped away an errant tear. “I was very different before, you know.”
Elizabeth hugged her mother tightly. “Uncle Edward told me what you were like before my father’s behaviour changed you. It is the Mama I am getting to see now. There was more Mama, the second part of my contemplation was looking at the things I could have known, and should have known and changed…” Elizabeth related what she had found. “I have begun to make changes, but it will not be the work of a day, of that I am certain.”
“Nothing worth doing is ever easy,” Fanny encouraged. “You are too stubborn not to succeed.”
“I think you have the right of it, Mama.” Elizabeth hugged her mother and then kissed each of her cheeks. With that done, she made for the chamber she shared with Jane.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Due to the fact his daughters, and more often than not their mother, spent almost every day at Netherfield Park, the master of Longbourn was left to stew on his own. He hadinvited Lizzy to join him a few times before giving up. Each time it was the same, she was busy assisting Jane with the infernal wedding.
The only positive was it was less than ten days until the day Jane married and then Lizzy would no longer have an excuse to avoid him. At least he would be able to purchase more books once Jane was married thanks to the savings to be had by no longer feeding, clothing, and giving her an allowance. Knowing he would be getting his companion back soon; Bennet began counting the days until the wedding. He was actually looking forward to walking Jane up the aisle and then attending the wedding breakfast, even if it was to be held at Bingley’s estate. As soon as it was over, Lizzy would spend her days with him once again, as it would be until he shuffled off the mortal coil.
At Netherfield Park, each time Elizabeth spent time in Mr Darcy’s company, she felt closer to him. They were at ease with one another, and although she was not ready to admit it to herself yet, Elizabeth was forming tender feelings for one of the best men she knew.
Two days previously the soon-to-be former Colonel Fitzwilliam had proposed to, and been accepted by Charlotte. They had wanted to wait to announce their engagement until after the wedding, but both Jane and Bingley had insisted the good news be shared with everyone.
To say the Lucas family were well pleased for Charlotte was a gross understatement. The only bit of sadness, if it could be called that, was their soon to-be-son’s estate was in Derbyshire, which for them, was a long and costly journey. They had been reassured when Charlotte told them how she and her husband would be in London for part of the season each year, and they would always stop at Lucas Lodge when travelling to and from Town.
Seeing the unbridled joy his brother and future sister exuded at their betrothal inspired Andrew to request a privateinterview with Mary. As Fanny was present at Netherfield Park that day, she gave her consent for the Viscount to address her middle daughter.
The two went into the same parlour Elizabeth and Darcy had met in twice. Andrew sank on to a knee. “Mary, I never thought I would find a woman who matches me in every way. One who shares not only my love of music, but has as deep a reverence for God as I do. If that were not enough, I love you with all that I am. Please marry me, Mary Bennet.”
“Andrew, I feel the same about you. Until I met you, I did not think anyone would ever love me, and I cannot be happier I am wrong. Yes, Andrew, I will marry you,” Mary who never did so, gushed.
Their agreement was sealed with some kisses, a first for both of them. Then they returned to the drawing room to where the rest of the party were waiting. The wishes for happiness and a long and felicitous marriage flowed once their news was shared. Fanny hugged her middle daughter to her and whispered apologies in her ear for ever making Mary doubt her own worth.
“I should ride to Longbourn to go see Mr Bennet,” Lord Hilldale stated.
“May I make a suggestion?” Elizabeth asked. The Viscount nodded. “Go to London instead and have the settlement completed so you may present him afait accompli…”
“I had it drawn up while we were all in London,” Lord Hilldale grinned and Mary blushed with pleasure.
“Good. I suggest you speak to my father at Netherfield Park, as soon as Jane and Charles prepare to leave the wedding breakfast. At that point, take my father to the study, get his permission and have him sign the settlement. That way when I have my discussion with him, there is nothing he can do to deny your request for her hand and it will free Mary from hisbrand of mocking until Jane’s wedding. Knowing him and his vindictive nature, if you apply to him after I confront him, he would seek to punish me by denying your petition. Once we are at Longbourn, he will not be in a good mood after I see him.”
Elizabeth’s suggestion was accepted.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
